Chapter 2 - The Contract
I stared at Victoria in absolute horror.
She knew about Brandon and Emma.
She had investigated my background before I even stepped foot in the mansion.
"Please," I begged, lowering my voice so Mr. Bennett would not hear.
"I was just cleaning the desk, I swear."
Victoria sneered, her perfectly manicured fingers digging painfully into my shoulder.
"You are nothing but a desperate street rat looking for a quick payday."
"Pack your things and get out before I call the police."
I felt the tears stinging my eyes, knowing my children would starve again if I lost this money.
"She is not going anywhere, Victoria."
The deep, commanding voice made both of us jump.
Julian Bennett rolled his wheelchair toward us, his face like a mask of pure ice.
"She is my caregiver, and I am the one who decides who stays in this house."
Victoria’s face flushed with anger.
"Julian, she is going through your private files."
"She is looking for a payday."
Julian stopped his chair directly in front of me.
"Leave us alone, Victoria," he ordered.
His stepmother glared at me one last time before storming out of the library and slamming the heavy oak doors.
I looked down at my worn-out shoes, too ashamed to meet his eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Bennett," I whispered.
"Don't thank me yet, Sarah," he replied softly.
He picked up a legal document from his desk and held it out to me.
"Victoria is trying to have me declared legally incompetent so she can seize control of my company."
"The board of directors will agree with her if they believe I cannot take care of myself."
I frowned, confused by his sudden honesty.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
Julian looked directly into my eyes, and for a second, I saw the boy I used to love.
"Because the only way to stop her is to prove I have a stable, supportive family structure."
"I need a wife."
My breath hitched in my throat.
"I will pay you two million dollars to marry me, move your children into this mansion, and pretend we are in love."
Before I could even process the insane offer, the library doors flew open again.
May you like
The estate's chief of security marched in, holding my five-year-old daughter Emma by the arm.
"I caught this little rat sneaking through the front gates looking for her mother," the guard growled.
